CVE-2019-8737 in macOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A denial of service issue was addressed with improved validation. This issue is fixed in macOS Catalina 10.15.1, Security Update 2019-001, and Security Update 2019-006, macOS Catalina 10.15. An attacker in a privileged position may be able to perform a denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8737 represents a denial of service weakness in Apple's macOS operating system that was addressed through enhanced input validation mechanisms. This issue specifically affects systems running macOS Catalina 10.15 and earlier versions, with the vulnerability being resolved through security updates released in 2019. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the system's core processes, creating an opportunity for exploitation that could result in system instability and service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20, a well-documented weakness in software systems where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker with a privileged position within the system can manipulate input parameters to trigger a denial of service condition. This privileged access requirement indicates that the vulnerability likely exists within kernel-level processes or system services that have elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning for system administrators and security professionals managing macOS environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8737 extends beyond simple service interruption as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within compromised systems. Attackers who can achieve privileged access may leverage this vulnerability to destabilize system operations, potentially creating conditions that could facilitate further exploitation or serve as a stepping stone for additional attacks within the network. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue means that successful exploitation could result in complete system unavailability, requiring manual intervention and system restarts to restore normal operations.
Security professionals should prioritize the deployment of the applicable security updates including macOS Catalina 10.15.1, Security Update 2019-001, and Security Update 2019-006 to remediate this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing of updates in controlled environments before widespread deployment to ensure compatibility with existing system configurations and applications. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures that account for denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability's nature as a privilege-based issue also underscores the importance of maintaining least privilege principles and implementing robust access control measures to limit potential attack vectors. This remediation aligns with the broader ATT&CK framework's emphasis on maintaining system integrity and preventing privilege escalation attacks that could lead to complete system compromise.